21 February 2021 Finally, a Saturday out again!

February brought some interest in the Australian Open Tennis Tournament and the United States Super Bowl.  Here are pictures showing the two rooms in our office lounge areas complete with snacks for a Super Bowl party brought by our Aussie friend who is nuts about American football.  So we enjoyed a number of breaks throughout our work hours keeping up with the game.  

We half-heartedly thought about getting a cheap airline flight to Melbourne to take in some of the Australian Open on one weekend since seats were now available.  But sadly, due to another city-wide 5 day lockdown, we wouldn't have been able to get in or out!  The night the lockdown started the fans had to leave at 11:30 right in the middle of a match in order to be home for the imposed curfew that began at midnight.  So matches were played without fans with recorded cheering and clapping and we stayed home, safe and sound. 

Summer has been not what we expected at all due to so much rain this year.  After the droughts and fires of last year at this time though it is very welcome.  However, the last two weekends we have been housebound with the rainy weather.  In fact we had a senior missionary couples activity planned but had to postpone it too.  But the weather cleared this weekend so we took the "fast" ferry to Manly to spend so time on the beach!  FINALLY, we were able to get out again after two weeks of our steady work with legalities, humanitarian projects, and mission office work.  

The weather was beautiful and the beach wasn't crowded at all as it often is.  The clubbie volunteer lifeguards were out watching the rips and reminding swimmers to swim between the flags.  The professional service lifeguards were also in their buggies patrolling the beach and giving directions over the loudspeakers about areas to avoid.  

We were surprised to find that we were on the beach the same day as matches of the Beach Volleyball Australian Championship were taking place. The finals were on Sunday.  Another interest I found was watching the little "nippers" learning to surf.  These children were clearly were ready to face the waves and it was fun to watch all of them and watch their instructor directing them.  

  

It is the time of year when the infamous bluebottles are washing up on the shore.  Not as large or as venomous as their cousin, the Portuguese Man-0-War, they are still able to cause quite an uncomfortable sting.  We have seen huge groups of them washed ashore on the local  news so we found a few and hoped not to encounter any in our own dip in the sea.   

Bluebottles live in colonies and the "float" or sac can can grow up to 15 cm.  These weren't that big but to me still fascinating to see.  The long tenacle that floats behind can wrap around its prey and it would be like thousands of harpoons shooting into it.  For humans, it's not as deadly but still a pretty painful sting which lasts up to 1/2 hour.  Another type of bluebottle is much more dangerous and has more than one tenacle which inflicts great pain and can cause serious problems. 

 

 After a great day out and a good dinner, we headed home by ferry and bus.  We passed by some of the Lunar artwork on display throughout the city.  Again, though many of the festivities were reduced this year, there is still artwork and some other festivities around the city. 

The Ox lights up outside the Customs House

Art works found all around the city celebrating the Year of the Ox. 

Next weekend we head to Nowra, south of Sydney where we will explore another region of New South Wales.  

31 January 2021 Catching up after Australia Day

This month has passed quickly as we both had lots of responsibilities and projects to complete.  Don continues to handle a myriad of issues here in Australia.  His work consists of consulting with local attorneys and church leaders on legal matters dealing from Australia's redress laws, to real estate, to visas, to immigration, to human resources and more.  He still loves it but some days are very long and can start at 6:00 am when having Zoom or Teams meetings with those in the states or even other countries.  

So we always look forward to the weekends especially with the warm summer days.  Sydney has had some restrictions again due to a Covid outbreak at the northern beaches areas.  So we have been a bit limited on places to go, but things have opened up again and even the borders with neighboring states are open again.  

After our reconnaissance earlier in the month, we returned to the Royal Botanical Gardens and Government House, this time taking along senior missionary couples.  Our Aussie friends hadn't been inside the stately quarters so we had a nice time showing them around!  First, we took the train ride around the gardens again stopping at the gift shop so we could peruse a few unique items.  I hadn't noticed the ornamental red bananas before.  This species is not for eating as the "fruit" can seem like pebbles.   

We toured the Government House after the Gardens.  The above is the Main Hall and reception area along with the Main Staircase.  All the governors pictures and their coats of arms adorned the high walls.  

The  Dining Room

Beautiful Aboriginal art adorns the walls.  

The Ante Room - Smaller of the two Drawing Rooms where guests originally retired following dining.  Nowdays it is used for small meetings. The secretaire is made of cedar, beefwood, and tulipwoood showing many Australian and New Zealand floral designs.  

The larger Drawing Room - King George III and Queen Charlotte's portraits adorn the walls.  Yes, Australia had to deal with the mad king too.  Today it is still used to greet dignitaries, ambassadors, Heads of State, and Consul-Generals.

The Ballroom where many receptions and award ceremonies are held.  The Minstrel's gallery and stage area were added in 1899.

Flags from left to right:  Australia, New South Wales, the Aboriginal, and Torres Strait. The islanders of Torres Strait are distinct from the Aboriginal people but are generally considered as another group of Indigenous Australians.  

Last week, Don and I were invited to attend an International Religion and Law dinner in the city with several local politicians.  The purpose was to hear and discuss issues relating to the rights and responsibilities of religious freedom.  The guests included Elder Mark Peteru (below), Area Seventy from the Church, Mr. Mark Latham MLC, Ms. Tania Mihaihuk MP, Professor Michael Quinlan, Dr. Bernard Doherty, Dr. Christopher Harney, and Dr. Zoe Alderton.  

Also Professor Keith Thompson, Jeffrey Cummings, Emily Kwok were attendees along with us.  We didn't have a lot to add to the discussion since we are somewhat limited in our understanding of the issues here though Don deals with the legalities on a daily basis. But it was interesting, easy to see these politicians' leanings, but it gave us a night out and a nice meal. I was a little nervous when I found out it was a hotel used for COVID quarantine; the concierge assured me anyone needing to isolate were on the floors above us!! 

We also celebrated Australia Day with the senior couples, mission president and wife, and some of the Service center employees and their families.  Sydney was enjoying a real heatwave-over 100 degrees for a couple days.  So instead of eating in the courtyard at the office we stayed cool inside.  Don and Mel Anderson set up the grill outside and Stephen Pollard took care of grilling hamburgers, sausages, and steaks for everyone.  Lots of food, visiting, laughing, and of course, someone turned on the Cricket match.  I still haven't figured the sport out totally. 

The  MacPherson Family
with President Runia

Always lots of food: meats, salads, baked beans, drinks, desserts.  And all Covid safe of course!

The Cricket Match!

Our senior cadre of missionaries and friends

President Scott and Tami Runia with  President Thacker and his wife, Lynn who works with us too.

    We were assigned to speak again in the Cowra Branch where we first visited in November.  The heatwave was over but we had lots of rain and fog in the mountains as we drove home Sunday night.  Only one more month of summer here and we really haven't too many scorching hot days as of yet.  Strange to think that we have been here 11 months already.  It is a joy to meet so many good people and serve others in anyway we can.  So if we drive 4 hours to each give a 20 minute talk--that's what we are all about right now!!